Isolating Buster

"MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER wrote:
Good luck with all this, but please try not to lost patience - either with
yourself or with the situation - after such a brief period of time. Give it
some time, lavish attention on both of them, and it *will* work out. Believe
me, I have had experience both with the consequences of trying to move too
quickly and with the wonderful results of a "take your time" approach.

MaryL

We'll do our best. I spoke with Megan over the phone today, and
I'm a bit heartbroken, but it seems that best way to do this is to
isolate Buster completely in a seldom used room.

I know that the majority opinion here has been to just give them free
run of the house and let them work it out themselves, and I'm sure
that in many cases, it works - many happy kitty families here attest
to that. But because of Dot and Buster's personality clash, there is
the danger that Dot will become a perpetually hidey-cat, and she's the
much less settled of the two.

So what I'm going to have to do is to give Dot free run of the current
main living areas - kitchen, living room, and den. Buster will be
confined to a room that currently has miscellaneous junk and exercise
equipment in it - I'll clean it up and make it livable for him. He
may have to be there for weeks, certainly at least several days.
Because of the way the closet there is installed, I think I can set up
a little glass vestibule there to thwart escape attempts, too.

One of my concerns about that room is that when it's closed off, it
can get very hot, because it's part of a single floor extension (as is
the den). The room that really maintains its temperature well is the
living room, because it's sandwiched below the second floors. Rooms
isolated from that room heat up quickly.

So I've turned on outdoor air circulation in that room, and installed
a USB thermometer to send temperature updates from the room to my
computer. It's still a bit stuffy in there right now - 76.2 F / 24.6
C. Maybe that's just me - I hate temperatures above 70 F but I
know that kitties like it a bit warmer than Takayuki of the North.

Another possibility is giving Buster the upstairs, but being upstairs
and closer to the roof, it heats up just as quickly as the downstairs
miscellaneous room but doesn't have an AC unit like the misc room
does, I won't be able to hear him well from downstairs, and giving
them separate floors is really, really isolating them, so there will
be no scent transfer.

Buster is such a sweet kitty, all curled up with me. I'm so sorry
little one!

I know that this plan is different from what many of you recommended,
but I *do* certainly appreciate everyone's advice very much - I did
read and listen, and I did consider all the arguments as carefully as
I could. I know it might not turn out to be the right decision - this
is the first time I've introduced two cats, so it's all still new to
me.

"Takayuki" wrote in message
...
"MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER wrote:
Good luck with all this, but please try not to lost patience - either with
yourself or with the situation - after such a brief period of time. Give
it
some time, lavish attention on both of them, and it *will* work out.
Believe
me, I have had experience both with the consequences of trying to move too
quickly and with the wonderful results of a "take your time" approach.

MaryL

We'll do our best. I spoke with Megan over the phone today, and
I'm a bit heartbroken, but it seems that best way to do this is to
isolate Buster completely in a seldom used room.

I know that the majority opinion here has been to just give them free
run of the house and let them work it out themselves, and I'm sure
that in many cases, it works - many happy kitty families here attest
to that. But because of Dot and Buster's personality clash, there is
the danger that Dot will become a perpetually hidey-cat, and she's the
much less settled of the two.

So what I'm going to have to do is to give Dot free run of the current
main living areas - kitchen, living room, and den. Buster will be
confined to a room that currently has miscellaneous junk and exercise
equipment in it - I'll clean it up and make it livable for him. He
may have to be there for weeks, certainly at least several days.
Because of the way the closet there is installed, I think I can set up
a little glass vestibule there to thwart escape attempts, too.

One of my concerns about that room is that when it's closed off, it
can get very hot, because it's part of a single floor extension (as is
the den). The room that really maintains its temperature well is the
living room, because it's sandwiched below the second floors. Rooms
isolated from that room heat up quickly.

So I've turned on outdoor air circulation in that room, and installed
a USB thermometer to send temperature updates from the room to my
computer. It's still a bit stuffy in there right now - 76.2 F / 24.6
C. Maybe that's just me - I hate temperatures above 70 F but I
know that kitties like it a bit warmer than Takayuki of the North.

Another possibility is giving Buster the upstairs, but being upstairs
and closer to the roof, it heats up just as quickly as the downstairs
miscellaneous room but doesn't have an AC unit like the misc room
does, I won't be able to hear him well from downstairs, and giving
them separate floors is really, really isolating them, so there will
be no scent transfer.

Buster is such a sweet kitty, all curled up with me. I'm so sorry
little one!

I know that this plan is different from what many of you recommended,
but I *do* certainly appreciate everyone's advice very much - I did
read and listen, and I did consider all the arguments as carefully as
I could. I know it might not turn out to be the right decision - this
is the first time I've introduced two cats, so it's all still new to
me.

Each cat is different, so each experience is different. You're obviously
doing the best you can, and it's all anybody can expect.

Joy

"Takayuki" wrote in message
...
"MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER wrote:
Good luck with all this, but please try not to lost patience - either with
yourself or with the situation - after such a brief period of time. Give
it
some time, lavish attention on both of them, and it *will* work out.
Believe
me, I have had experience both with the consequences of trying to move too
quickly and with the wonderful results of a "take your time" approach.

MaryL

We'll do our best. I spoke with Megan over the phone today, and
I'm a bit heartbroken, but it seems that best way to do this is to
isolate Buster completely in a seldom used room.

I know that the majority opinion here has been to just give them free
run of the house and let them work it out themselves, and I'm sure
that in many cases, it works - many happy kitty families here attest
to that. But because of Dot and Buster's personality clash, there is
the danger that Dot will become a perpetually hidey-cat, and she's the
much less settled of the two.

So what I'm going to have to do is to give Dot free run of the current
main living areas - kitchen, living room, and den. Buster will be
confined to a room that currently has miscellaneous junk and exercise
equipment in it - I'll clean it up and make it livable for him. He
may have to be there for weeks, certainly at least several days.
Because of the way the closet there is installed, I think I can set up
a little glass vestibule there to thwart escape attempts, too.

One of my concerns about that room is that when it's closed off, it
can get very hot, because it's part of a single floor extension (as is
the den). The room that really maintains its temperature well is the
living room, because it's sandwiched below the second floors. Rooms
isolated from that room heat up quickly.

So I've turned on outdoor air circulation in that room, and installed
a USB thermometer to send temperature updates from the room to my
computer. It's still a bit stuffy in there right now - 76.2 F / 24.6
C. Maybe that's just me - I hate temperatures above 70 F but I
know that kitties like it a bit warmer than Takayuki of the North.

Another possibility is giving Buster the upstairs, but being upstairs
and closer to the roof, it heats up just as quickly as the downstairs
miscellaneous room but doesn't have an AC unit like the misc room
does, I won't be able to hear him well from downstairs, and giving
them separate floors is really, really isolating them, so there will
be no scent transfer.

Buster is such a sweet kitty, all curled up with me. I'm so sorry
little one!

I know that this plan is different from what many of you recommended,
but I *do* certainly appreciate everyone's advice very much - I did
read and listen, and I did consider all the arguments as carefully as
I could. I know it might not turn out to be the right decision - this
is the first time I've introduced two cats, so it's all still new to
me.


Be sure to spend a lot of time with Buster so he won't feel isolated, and
turn a radio on when you are out of the room (classical or "easy listening"
music at moderate to low volume). Leave lots of toys with him plus a
scratching post. I know how hard this is, but I'm sure it will work out if
you are careful to give Buster lots of attention and not just leave him
alone -- and I'm sure you will do that.

MaryL

"Takayuki" wrote

| I know that this plan is different from what many of you recommended,
| but I *do* certainly appreciate everyone's advice very much - I did
| read and listen, and I did consider all the arguments as carefully as
| I could. I know it might not turn out to be the right decision - this
| is the first time I've introduced two cats, so it's all still new to
| me.

You might also want to consider the sources of the advice you've gotten,
with particular emphasis on how many times the advisor has been through a
cat-merging process (two dozen or so times in my own case). I am seriously
afraid that the way you've chosen to proceed is going to result in you
returning one or more kitties to the shelter from whence they came (

On 2007-06-17 18:28:22 -0500, Takayuki said:



We'll do our best. I spoke with Megan over the phone today, and
I'm a bit heartbroken, but it seems that best way to do this is to
isolate Buster completely in a seldom used room.

I know that the majority opinion here has been to just give them free
run of the house and let them work it out themselves, and I'm sure
that in many cases, it works - many happy kitty families here attest
to that. But because of Dot and Buster's personality clash, there is
the danger that Dot will become a perpetually hidey-cat, and she's the
much less settled of the two.

So what I'm going to have to do is to give Dot free run of the current
main living areas - kitchen, living room, and den. Buster will be
confined to a room that currently has miscellaneous junk and exercise
equipment in it - I'll clean it up and make it livable for him. He
may have to be there for weeks, certainly at least several days.
Because of the way the closet there is installed, I think I can set up
a little glass vestibule there to thwart escape attempts, too.

Gosh, don't jump to weeks before you KNOW that is the case. Think
positive. I'm really hoping that you are going to have trial together
time.

One of my concerns about that room is that when it's closed off, it
can get very hot, because it's part of a single floor extension (as is
the den). The room that really maintains its temperature well is the
living room, because it's sandwiched below the second floors. Rooms
isolated from that room heat up quickly.

So I've turned on outdoor air circulation in that room, and installed
a USB thermometer to send temperature updates from the room to my
computer. It's still a bit stuffy in there right now - 76.2 F / 24.6
C. Maybe that's just me - I hate temperatures above 70 F but I
know that kitties like it a bit warmer than Takayuki of the North.

Wowzers you are high tech!

Another possibility is giving Buster the upstairs, but being upstairs
and closer to the roof, it heats up just as quickly as the downstairs
miscellaneous room but doesn't have an AC unit like the misc room
does, I won't be able to hear him well from downstairs, and giving
them separate floors is really, really isolating them, so there will
be no scent transfer.

Hmm. How are they supposed to get used to each other with no scent
transer at all?


Buster is such a sweet kitty, all curled up with me. I'm so sorry
little one!

I hope you will be dividing your time between them at least? This does
sound extraordinarily isolative! My goodness. I know Megan has a lot
of good results with her knowledge but I hope that you are not over
analyzing what is going on too.


I know that this plan is different from what many of you recommended,
but I *do* certainly appreciate everyone's advice very much - I did
read and listen, and I did consider all the arguments as carefully as
I could. I know it might not turn out to be the right decision - this
is the first time I've introduced two cats, so it's all still new to
me.

Well, there is more than one way to crack a tough nut. Keep us posted.

"Pat" wrote in message
et...

"Takayuki" wrote

| I know that this plan is different from what many of you recommended,
| but I *do* certainly appreciate everyone's advice very much - I did
| read and listen, and I did consider all the arguments as carefully as
| I could. I know it might not turn out to be the right decision - this
| is the first time I've introduced two cats, so it's all still new to
| me.

You might also want to consider the sources of the advice you've gotten,
with particular emphasis on how many times the advisor has been through a
cat-merging process (two dozen or so times in my own case). I am seriously
afraid that the way you've chosen to proceed is going to result in you
returning one or more kitties to the shelter from whence they came (


We need to give Tak some time to work this out. Megan also helped me when I
adopted Duffy, and I can guarantee that she is the reason I had such success
with Holly and Duffy. In 29 years of rescue, Megan has probably introduced
well over 100 cats. Very few people have had as much experience as she has
had in introducing cats with a wide variety of needs. It is important to
give Dot time to become comfortable with the house and claim it "as her own"
before bringing Buster into the mix. He has already chased her into hiding,
and she needs extra time to adjust. She is already under a great deal of
stress from losing her home, living in a shelter and now coming to a new
home. She doesn't need to be placed under any more stress before giving her
some time to get to know Tak and her new surroundings. Isolation for a week
(or two or three) is a very short time in their lives together. Buster is
young and adaptable. He has already shown that he can easily fit into a new
situation. Dot is older, and she is the one who needs to be the focus for
the short term. If this were my situation, I would do things exactly the
same. Just like with Holly and Duffy, I occasionally would close the door
while Holly was sleeping. Duffy would have the run of the house at those
times, and each would be aware of the other's scent. From Tak's description,
Dot was obviously scared, did not like being chased, and that is not a good
way for a cat to be brought into a new situation. Tak dearly loved Betty,
and he will do what is best for these two newcomers. Given time, I am sure
they will blend into a happy household, but Dot needs to be given extra time
in this early period.

MaryL

"Takayuki" wrote in message
...
We'll do our best. I spoke with Megan over the phone today, and
I'm a bit heartbroken, but it seems that best way to do this is to
isolate Buster completely in a seldom used room.

Good luck Tak. My boys are purring up a storm for you and your new kitties
to settle into a happy household. You're such a good cat dad to put so much
thought and effort into this. Just hang in there!

Susan M
Otis and Chester

On Jun 17, 6:28 pm, Takayuki wrote:
"MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER wrote:
Good luck with all this, but please try not to lost patience - either with
yourself or with the situation - after such a brief period of time. Give it
some time, lavish attention on both of them, and it *will* work out. Believe
me, I have had experience both with the consequences of trying to move too
quickly and with the wonderful results of a "take your time" approach.

MaryL

We'll do our best. I spoke with Megan over the phone today, and
I'm a bit heartbroken, but it seems that best way to do this is to
isolate Buster completely in a seldom used room.

I know that the majority opinion here has been to just give them free
run of the house and let them work it out themselves, and I'm sure
that in many cases, it works - many happy kitty families here attest
to that. But because of Dot and Buster's personality clash, there is
the danger that Dot will become a perpetually hidey-cat, and she's the
much less settled of the two.

Tak, I hope you did not misunderstand what I had initially posted. The
only
way I'd *ever* "just let them work it out"....is if there was just
some minor
swatting & occasional hissing going on. With Dot being chased, that's
an entirely
different matter. I think yo're doing exactly the right thing.
And I know how bad you feel. I had to isolate Bosley for a while when
he first came. Sometimes
I would shut the doors when the others were off in the bedrooms, and
let Bosley have
the run of the house for the evening. It was kind of like playing
"musical cats".
Good luck. Don't stress.
And "Happy Father's Day", new cat-daddy!
Sherry

On Jun 17, 8:46 pm, "Pat"
wrote:
"Takayuki" wrote

| I know that this plan is different from what many of you recommended,
| but I *do* certainly appreciate everyone's advice very much - I did
| read and listen, and I did consider all the arguments as carefully as
| I could. I know it might not turn out to be the right decision - this
| is the first time I've introduced two cats, so it's all still new to
| me.

You might also want to consider the sources of the advice you've gotten,
with particular emphasis on how many times the advisor has been through a
cat-merging process (two dozen or so times in my own case). I am seriously
afraid that the way you've chosen to proceed is going to result in you
returning one or more kitties to the shelter from whence they came (

Pat, Megan is right. Minor swatting/hissing/tail puffing is one thing.
But when one cat is
timid, and the other is aggressive, isolation is the only way. If he
allows Buster to
terrorize Dot, she *will* turn into a chronic hidey-cat. And worse,
the timid cat can
become so afraid of being jumped by the aggressor, they'll start
peeing/pooping behind
the couch, under the table....all places where they feel "safe". Cats
feel very vulnerable
when they're in the litterbox.
Sherry

"Sherry" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Jun 17, 8:46 pm, "Pat"
wrote:
"Takayuki" wrote

| I know that this plan is different from what many of you recommended,
| but I *do* certainly appreciate everyone's advice very much - I did
| read and listen, and I did consider all the arguments as carefully as
| I could. I know it might not turn out to be the right decision - this
| is the first time I've introduced two cats, so it's all still new to
| me.

You might also want to consider the sources of the advice you've gotten,
with particular emphasis on how many times the advisor has been through a
cat-merging process (two dozen or so times in my own case). I am
seriously
afraid that the way you've chosen to proceed is going to result in you
returning one or more kitties to the shelter from whence they came (

Pat, Megan is right. Minor swatting/hissing/tail puffing is one thing.
But when one cat is
timid, and the other is aggressive, isolation is the only way. If he
allows Buster to
terrorize Dot, she *will* turn into a chronic hidey-cat. And worse,
the timid cat can
become so afraid of being jumped by the aggressor, they'll start
peeing/pooping behind
the couch, under the table....all places where they feel "safe". Cats
feel very vulnerable
when they're in the litterbox.
Sherry


Only thing I wonder about. Dot is already seven years old. She may already
be all of the above.

Jo